Digitech Whammy V

This is high on the list of HornFX favorites. The Whammy pedal has been around for a long time and has been heard in a great many contexts. With their latest model, Digitech have surpassed their previous efforts and created something truly special. With all new circuitry and a new collection of settings, many agree that this is the best Whammy yet. Do yourself a favor. Try this pedal. It is a must have for your board.

External Control: MIDICost: $$

HornFX Review

Interface: 4/5Overall, the interface is very simple to use. However, in a live setting you have to scroll through many settings to get to the one you want. The value of the whammy pedal itself cannot be understated, as this adds a whole bunch of variability. One of the biggest negatives of this pedal, is that there is no dry/wet signal knob. This does make the blend between ranges with some instruments worse than others. Its lack of a second set of settings as in the DT version of this pedal does not change the overall usability of the interface.

Versatility: 3/5This pedal not only does many fixed intervals and transposed pitches well, but it has wonderful tonal and articulation reproduction, making this a pedal that can do more than just change notes. You can convincingly become another instrument, which is a major advantage.

Tonal reproduction: 4/5For trumpet and saxophone, the lower octave (trombone sound for trumpet and baritone sax sound for saxophone) are terrific, with incredible tone reproduction AS WELL AS articulation. Although the upper octave mimics a soprano beautifully, the trumpet signal makes the output very thin and synthesized. It should be noted that this pedal does not have a warm tone (it is quite sterile).

Tracking speed: 5/5One of the best tracking speeds and harmonic accuracy available on the market today.

Complexity: Simple

Live application: 4/5Switching to settings that are any distance apart on the pedal is a pain unless you use its midi functionality, but once again the whammy pedal itself adds so much in a live element that its overall live application is great. It cannot be overstated how much the quality reproduction of sound makes enhances this pedal’s usefulness.

Interface

Versatility

Tonal Reproduction

Tracking Speed

Live Application

Total Score

4/5

3/5

4/5

5/5

4/5

20/25

Reviews

Ariel Wiznia, Saxophone - “Although I have only been using the Whammy V for a month, I use it very often in the studio and have added it to my live rig. The versatility is amazing; after owning a multi-effects pedal previously that had harmony, I can say the difference is astonishing. What I like the most is how responsive it is. You know when you hit the pedal that the range is the expected one and the tone is just so similar to my alto and baritone saxophones. I usually put this pedal first in my chain, with a Source Audio Stingray and a LINE 6 DL4 following it.